Broadcast signal processing apparatus and control method thereof

ABSTRACT

A broadcasting signal processing apparatus includes: a signal receiver which receives a broadcasting signal, the broadcast signal including an application program for providing broadcasting information; a signal processor which processes the broadcasting signal so that a video is displayed based on the broadcasting signal received by the signal receiver; and a controller which controls the signal processor so that execution of the application program is paused and the video is adjusted if an adjustment condition of the video being displayed is satisfied while the application program is executed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No.10-2007-0004379, filed on Jan. 15, 2007 in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Apparatuses and methods consistent with the present invention relate toa broadcasting signal processing apparatus and a control method thereof,and more particularly, to a broadcasting signal processing apparatusthat executes an application program included in a broadcasting signal,and a control method thereof.

2. Description of the Related Art

A broadcasting signal processing apparatus, such as a TV or a set-topbox, receives a broadcasting signal from a broadcasting station andprocesses the broadcasting signal so that a video is displayed based onthe broadcasting signal.

The broadcasting signal may include an application program that providesvarious broadcasting services, such as data broadcasting, and thatbroadcasts information. For example, the application program may includea Java application that is defined in digital TV broadcastingspecifications such as OpenCable Application Platform (OCAP), AdvancedCommon Application Platform (ACAP), and Multimedia Home Platform (MHP).

Such an application program is downloaded to the broadcasting signalprocessing apparatus through the received broadcasting signal, and thebroadcasting signal processing apparatus provides various broadcastinginformation by executing the downloaded application program.

However, the broadcasting signal processing apparatus can perform onlythe functions provided by the application program during execution ofthe application program. That is, if a user-desired function is notincluded in the application program in advance, the broadcasting signalprocessing apparatus cannot perform the user-desired function duringexecution of the application program.

Hereinafter, detailed descriptions will be given with examples. Thebroadcasting signal processing apparatus provides broadcastinginformation by displaying a graphical user interface (GUI) of anapplication program. FIG. 1 shows a screen 1 where a GUI 3 of anapplication program is displayed by a broadcasting signal processingapparatus.

When the application program is executed, a broadcasting signal video(hereinafter will be referred to as “video”) 2 can be displayed on anupper left portion of the screen 1 and the GUI 3 of the applicationprogram can be displayed on the other portion of the screen 1.

In this case, a user may want to display the video 2, which is displayedon only a portion of the screen 1, over the full screen. However, whenthe application program does not have a function that allows adjustingof the size of the video 2, the application program must be terminatedin order to adjust the size of the video 2 while the application programis being executed.

In addition, when a user wants to use broadcasting information of theterminated application program, the application program needs to berestarted. In this case, the previous execution information of theapplication program is lost. Therefore, previous operations must beperformed again in order to use the broadcasting information.

The above information disclosed in this Background section is only forenhancement of understanding of the background of the invention andtherefore it may contain information that does not form the prior artthat is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill inthe art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The exemplary embodiment of the present invention overcomes the abovedisadvantages and other disadvantages not described above. Also, thepresent invention is not required to overcome the disadvantagesdescribed above.

Accordingly, the exemplary embodiment provides a broadcasting signalprocessing apparatus and a control method that performs a user-desiredfunction without terminating an application program.

Particularly, the exemplary embodiment provides a broadcasting signalprocessing apparatus and a control method that more convenientlyperforms a user-desired function during execution of an applicationprogram.

The foregoing and/or other aspects of the present invention can beachieved by providing a broadcasting signal processing apparatuscomprising: a signal receiver which receives a broadcasting signal, thebroadcast signal including an application program for providingbroadcasting information; a signal processor which processes thebroadcasting signal so that a video is displayed based on thebroadcasting signal received by the signal receiver; and a controllerwhich controls the signal processor so that execution of the applicationprogram is paused and the video is adjusted if an adjustment conditionof the video being displayed is satisfied while the application programis executed.

According to an aspect of the invention, the broadcasting signalprocessing apparatus further comprises a user input unit to which auser's instruction to adjust the video is input, wherein the controllerdetermines that the adjustment condition of the video being displayed issatisfied when the user's instruction is input.

According to an aspect of the invention, the user input unit comprises aremote controller or a control panel, the remote controller or controlpanel including at least one button, and wherein the controllerdetermines that the user's instruction is input when the at least onebutton is pressed.

According to an aspect of the invention, the controller changes acurrent state of the application program from an execution state to apause state by calling a function of the application program that pausesthe execution of the application program.

According to an aspect of the invention, adjustment of the videoincludes adjusting a size of the video.

According to an aspect of the invention, the broadcasting informationcomprises a graphic user interface (GUI) that displays the broadcastinginformation.

According to an aspect of the invention, the controller resumesexecution of the paused application program.

According to an aspect of the invention, the broadcasting signalprocessing apparatus further comprises a user input unit to which auser's instruction to resume the paused application program is input,wherein the controller resumes the paused application program when theuser's instruction is input.

According to an aspect of the invention, the controller controls thesignal processor so that the video is restored prior to adjustment ifthe application program is resumed.

According to an aspect of the invention, the controller calls a functionof the application program that changes a current state of theapplication program from a pause state to an execution state in order toresume the paused application program.

According to an aspect of the invention, the broadcasting signalprocessing apparatus further comprises a display unit which displays avideo based on the broadcasting signal processed by the signalprocessor.

The foregoing and/or other aspects of the present invention can beachieved by providing a control method of a broadcasting signalprocessing apparatus having a signal receiver that receives abroadcasting signal, the broadcasting signal including an applicationprogram for providing broadcasting information, and a signal processorthat processes the broadcasting signal so that a video is displayedbased on the broadcasting signal received by the signal receiver, thecontrol method comprising: determining whether an adjustment conditionof the video being displayed is satisfied while the application programis executed; pausing the execution of the application program if theadjustment condition of the video being displayed is satisfied; andcontrolling the signal processor so that the video being displayed isadjusted while the application program is paused.

According to an aspect of the invention, the control method furthercomprises receiving a user's instruction for adjusting the video,wherein it is determined that the adjustment condition of the videobeing displayed is satisfied if the user's instruction is input.

According to an aspect of the invention, the pausing of the execution ofthe application program comprises calling a function of the applicationprogram so as to change a current state of the application program froman execution state to a pause state.

According to an aspect of the invention, the adjustment of the videocomprises adjusting a size of the video.

According to an aspect of the invention, the providing of thebroadcasting information comprises displaying a graphic user interface(GUI) for the broadcasting information.

According to an aspect of the invention, the control method furthercomprises resuming the execution of the paused application program.

According to an aspect of the invention, the resuming of the executionof the paused application program comprises: receiving a user'sinstruction for resuming the execution of the paused applicationprogram; and resuming the execution of the paused application program ifthe user's instruction is input.

According to an aspect of the invention, the resuming of the executionof the paused application program further comprises controlling thesignal processor so that the video is restored prior to adjustment.

According to an aspect of the invention, the resuming of the executionof the paused application program further comprises calling a functionof the application program so as to change a current state of theapplication program from a pause state to an execution state.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and/or other aspects of the prevent invention will becomeapparent and more readily appreciated from the following description ofthe exemplary embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a screen where a GUI of an application program is displayedby a broadcasting signal processing apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a broadcasting signal processing apparatusaccording to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a screen of the broadcasting signal processing apparatusaccording to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows a configuration of software for realization of a controlleraccording to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the state of the application programaccording to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a control method of the broadcasting signalprocessing apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to an embodiment of the presentinvention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elementsthroughout. The exemplary embodiment is described below so as to explainthe present invention by referring to the figures.

Hereinafter, the exemplary embodiment of the present invention will bedescribed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a broadcasting signal processing apparatus100 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The broadcasting signal processing apparatus 100 may be a TV or aset-top box that receives a broadcasting signal from a broadcastingstation and processes the received signal so that a video is displayedbased on the received broadcasting signal.

The broadcasting signal includes an application program that providesvarious broadcasting information such as data broadcasting. Such anapplication program can be provided as a Java application defined in aspecification associated with digital TV broadcasting, such as OpenCableApplication Platform (OCAP), Advanced Common Application Platform(ACAP), and Multimedia Home Platform (MHP).

The broadcasting signal processing apparatus 100 can adjust a video orperform other functions without terminating the application program thatis currently being executed. For example, the broadcasting signalprocessing apparatus 100 can adjust the size of the video according toinstructions of a user during execution of the application program.

In further detail, as shown in FIG. 2, the broadcasting signalprocessing apparatus 100 includes a signal receiver 110 that receives abroadcasting signal, a signal processor 120 that processes the receivedbroadcasting signal so that a video is displayed based on thebroadcasting signal, and a controller 130 that controls the signalprocessor 120 so that execution of the application program istemporarily paused in order to adjust the video if at least oneadjustment condition of the video being displayed is satisfied whilebroadcasting information is provided by the execution of the applicationprogram.

The signal receiver 110 performs frequency tuning to one of a pluralityof channels according to control of the controller 130 and, therefore,receives the broadcasting signal.

The signal processor 120 performs demultiplexing or decoding of thebroadcasting signal received by the signal receiver 110. The signalprocessor 120 adjusts the displayed video according to control of thecontroller 130.

When it is determined that the receiving of the application program bythe signal receiver 110 is completed, the controller 130 can start theapplication program. In this case, as shown in FIG. 1, the GUI 3 of theapplication program can be displayed on the screen 1 by the execution ofthe application program. The broadcasting information is providedthrough the GUI 3 of the application program.

When adjustment conditions of a predetermined image are satisfied duringthe execution of the application, the controller 130 temporarily pausesthe execution of the application program and controls the signalprocessor 120 so that the video is adjusted.

In other words, the user does not need to terminate the applicationprogram to adjust the video.

The controller 130 can control the signal processor 120 so that, forexample, the size of the video is adjusted. For example, when the video2 is displayed on a portion of the screen 1 together with the GUI 3 ofthe application program, the controller can control the signal processor120 so that the size of the video 2 is adjusted. Therefore, the video 20can be displayed over the entire screen 10 as shown in FIG. 3.

The user can determine whether the adjustment conditions of the videoare satisfied during the execution of the application program. That is,the broadcasting signal processor 100 may further include a user inputunit 140 that receives at least one instruction of the user to adjustthe video. The controller 130 can determine that adjustment conditionsof the video being displayed are satisfied when the user's instructionsare input through the user input unit 140.

Thus, a user's preference can be better satisfied because the user isable to perform user-desired video adjustment at a user-desired timeduring execution of the application program.

The user input unit 140 can be provided as a remote controller (notshown) having at least one button, such as a hotkey, or as a controlpanel (not shown) provided in the broadcasting signal processor 100. Thecontroller 130 determines that the user's instructions for videoadjustment are input when a button of the remote controller or thecontrol panel is pressed.

Therefore, the user can perform a convenient, user-desired videoadjustment with a simple key input, like a hotkey, during execution ofthe application program.

The controller 130 can then resume the execution of the applicationprogram that has been temporarily paused after the video adjustment. Ifthe execution of the application program is resumed, the controller 130can control the signal processor 120 so that the video 20 of FIG. 3 isrestored to the original state of the video (refer to video 2 of FIG. 1)prior to adjustment.

The controller 130 can resume the temporarily paused application programwhen the user instructs the application program to resume through theuser input unit 140. The instruction meaning “resume execution of theapplication program” can be input through a predetermined button of theuser input unit 140, such as a remote controller or a control panel.

A button corresponding to the user instruction for the applicationprogram resumption may be the same as the button corresponding to theuser instruction for video adjustment during execution of theapplication program. That is, whenever the button is pressed, the video1 of FIG. 1 and the video 10 of FIG. 3 can be alternatively displayed.

As described, since the video can be switched from the after-adjustmentstate to the before-adjustment state, and vice versa, with a simple keyinput such as the hot key, user convenience can be improved.

The controller 130 can be software and hardware. FIG. 4 is a blockdiagram of a configuration of software of the controller 130. Thecontroller 130 may include a host platform 134 and a middleware 135,both as software.

Referring to FIG. 2, the controller 130 may include a read only memory(ROM) 131 as hardware for storing the host platform 134 and themiddleware 135, a random access memory (RAM) 132 for loading the storedhost platform 134 and the stored middleware 135, and a centralprocessing unit (CPU) 133 for executing the host platform 134 and themiddleware 135 that are loaded to the RAM 132. The application program136 can also be loaded to the RAM 132 and executed by the CPU 133.

The host platform 134 includes a device driver (not shown) that controlsthe broadcasting signal processing apparatus 100. When the applicationprogram is executed, the middleware 135 provides an applicationprogramming interface (API) for using functions of the host platform134. The API serves as an interface between the host platform 134 andthe application program 136. The host platform 134 and the middleware135 are programmed so that the CPU 133 performs the above-describedoperations of the controller 130.

Referring to FIG. 5, execution, pause, and resumption of the applicationprogram 136 will be described in detail. FIG. 5 shows a diagram of thestates of the application program 136. As shown in FIG. 5, the states ofthe application program 136 include a Loaded state 51, a Paused state52, an Active state 53, and a Destroyed state 54.

The Loaded state 51 indicates that receiving of the application program136 has been completed by the signal receiver 110. The Paused state 52indicates that the application program 136 has been initialized and isready for execution. The Active state 53 indicates that the initializedapplication program 136 is being executed. The Destroyed state 54indicates that the application program 136 has been terminated. ThePaused state 52 and the Active state 53 are examples of a pause stateand an execution state, respectively, in the present exemplaryembodiment.

The application program 136 has functions respectively corresponding tothe states 51, 52, 53, and 54. These functions are defined in thebroadcasting specifications, such as the OCAP and the MHP. That is, theapplication program 136 can be switched to the Paused state 52 from theLoaded state 51 by calling an initXlet function of the applicationprogram 136.

In addition, the Paused state 52 and the Active state 53 can be executedby respectively calling pauseXlet and startXlet functions, and the twostates 52 and 53 can be switched to each other accordingly.

Further, the application program 136 in the Loaded state 51, the Pausedstate 52, or the Active state 53 can be moved to the Destroyed state 54at any time by calling, for example, a destroyXlet function.

During execution of the application program 136, the controller 130changes the current state of the application program 136 from the Activestate 53 to the Paused state 52 by calling the pauseXlet function so asto temporarily pause the execution of the application program 136.

In addition, the controller 130 changes the current state of theapplication program 136 from the Paused state 52 to the Active state 53by calling the startXlet function while the execution of the applicationprogram 136 is paused. This resumes the temporarily paused applicationprogram 136.

Referring to FIG. 2, the broadcasting signal processing apparatus 100may further include a display unit 150 that displays images based on thebroadcasting signals processed by the signal processor 120. The displayunit 150 may display images by using a liquid crystal display (LCD) or aplasma display panel (PDP).

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a control method of the broadcasting signalprocessing apparatus 100 according to the exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention. When receiving of the application program included inthe broadcasting signal is finished, the controller 130 executes theapplication program, at operation of S101. When the application programis executed, as shown in FIG. 1, the video 2 and the GUI 3 of theapplication program can be displayed.

Subsequently, the controller 130 determines whether the user has inputinstructions for video adjustment, at operation of S102. The user'sinstructions may require maximization of the size of the video 2 of FIG.1 to the size of the screen 1. The user's instructions may be inputthrough a predetermined button on the user input unit 140, such as aremote controller.

When it is determined at the operation of S102 that the user'sinstructions have been input, the controller 130 temporarily pauses theexecution of the application program, at operation of S103. For example,the controller 130 changes the current state of the application programfrom the Active state 53 to the Paused state 52 by calling the pauseXletfunction. This temporarily pauses the application program.

Next, the controller 130 controls the signal processor 120 so that thevideo is adjusted according to the user's instructions, at operation ofS104. For example, the controller 130 controls the signal processor 120so that the size of the video 2 of FIG. 1 is maximized and the video 20is displayed on the full screen 10 as shown in FIG. 3. At operation ofS104, the controller 130 may hide the GUI 3 of the application programshown in FIG. 1 so as to fully display the video 20 on the screen 10.

Next, the controller 130 determines whether user's instructions forrestoring the video prior to adjustment are input at operation of S105.That is, the controller 130 determines whether user' instructions forresuming the application program are input, at operation of S105.

When it is determined at operation of S105 that the user's instructionsfor resuming the application program are input, the controller 130controls the signal processor 120 so that the video is restored to abefore-adjustment state, at operation of S106. Restoring of the videomay indicate that the size of the video 20 of FIG. 3 is adjusted to thesize of the video 2 of FIG. 1.

Next, the controller 130 resumes the paused application program, atoperation of S107. For example, the controller 130 calls the startXletfunction of the application program in order to change the current stateof the application program from the Paused state 52 to the Active state53. Thereby, the paused application program is resumed.

When the application program is paused, the GUI 3 of the applicationprogram as shown in FIG. 1 may be displayed. The operation order of theoperation of S106 and the operation of S107 may be interchanged.

As described above, a broadcasting signal processor and a control methodof performing a user-desired function without terminating an applicationprogram, can be provided according to the exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

Particularly, the user can adjust the video during execution of theapplication program so that the user does not need to terminate theapplication program in order to adjust the video.

In addition, a user can be more satisfied by performing user-desiredvideo adjustment at user-desired time during execution of theapplication program according to the exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

Further, user convenience can be improved by allowing the user to adjustthe video to a desired state with a simple key input, like a hotkey.

Although an exemplary embodiment of the present invention has been shownand described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art thatchanges may be made in this exemplary embodiment without departing fromthe principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which isdefined in the appended claims and their equivalents.

1. A broadcasting signal processing apparatus comprising: a signalreceiver which receives a broadcasting signal, the broadcast signalincluding an application program for providing broadcasting information;a signal processor which processes the broadcasting signal so that avideo is displayed based on the broadcasting signal received by thesignal receiver; and a controller which controls the signal processor sothat, if an adjustment condition of the video being displayed issatisfied while the application program is executed, execution of theapplication program is paused without terminating the applicationprogram and the video being displayed is adjusted while the applicationprogram is paused, wherein the application program comprises a graphicuser interface (GUI), and the application program displays thebroadcasting information through providing the GUI on a display, the GUIprovided by the application program is displayed simultaneously with thevideo while the application program is executed, and the GUI of theapplication program is not displayed while the application program ispaused, and the controller changes a current state of the applicationprogram from an execution state to a pause state by calling a functionof the application program that pauses the execution of the applicationprogram.
 2. The broadcasting signal processing apparatus of claim 1,further comprising a user input unit to which a user's instruction toadjust the video is input, wherein the controller determines that theadjustment condition of the video being displayed is satisfied when theuser's instruction is input.
 3. The broadcasting signal processingapparatus of claim 2, wherein the user input unit comprises a remotecontroller or a control panel, the remote controller or control panelincluding at least one button, and wherein the controller determinesthat the user's instruction is input when the at least one button ispressed.
 4. The broadcasting signal processing apparatus of claim 1,wherein adjustment of the video includes adjusting a size of the video.5. The broadcasting signal processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein,during the execution of the application program, the video is displayedon a first portion of the display and the GUI is displayed on a secondportion of the display, the second portion of the display excluding thefirst portion of the display.
 6. The broadcasting signal processingapparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller resumes execution of thepaused application program.
 7. The broadcasting signal processingapparatus of claim 6, further comprises a user input unit to which auser's instruction to resume the paused application program is input,wherein the controller resumes the paused application program when theuser's instruction is input.
 8. The broadcasting signal processingapparatus of claim 6, wherein the controller controls the signalprocessor so that the video is restored prior to adjustment if theapplication program is resumed.
 9. The broadcasting signal processingapparatus of claim 6, the controller calls a function of the applicationprogram that changes a current state of the application program from apause state to an execution state in order to resume the pausedapplication program.
 10. The broadcasting signal processing apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising a display unit which displays a video basedon the broadcasting signal processed by the signal processor.
 11. Acontrol method of a broadcasting signal processing apparatus having asignal receiver that receives a broadcasting signal, the broadcastingsignal including an application program for providing broadcastinginformation, and a signal processor that processes the broadcastingsignal so that a video is displayed based on the broadcasting signalreceived by the signal receiver, the control method comprising:determining whether an adjustment condition of the video being displayedis satisfied while the application program is executed; pausing theexecution of the application program without terminating the applicationprogram if the adjustment condition of the video being displayed issatisfied; and controlling the signal processor so that the video beingdisplayed is adjusted while the application program is paused, whereinthe application program comprises a graphic user interface (GUI), andthe application program displays the broadcasting information throughproviding the GUI on a display, and the GUI provided by the applicationprogram is displayed simultaneously with the video while the applicationprogram is executed, and the GUI of the application program is notdisplayed while the application program is paused, and wherein theexecution of the application program is paused by changing a currentstate of the application program from an execution state to a pausestate by calling a function of the application program that pauses theexecution of the application program.
 12. The control method of claim11, further comprising receiving a user's instruction for adjusting thevideo, wherein it is determined that the adjustment condition of thevideo being displayed is satisfied if the user's instruction is input.13. The control method of claim 11, wherein the adjustment of the videocomprises adjusting a size of the video.
 14. The control method of claim11, wherein, during the execution of the application program, the videois displayed on a first portion of the display and the GUI is displayedon a second portion of the display, the second portion of the displayexcluding the first portion of the display.
 15. The control method ofclaim 11, further comprising resuming the execution of the pausedapplication program.
 16. The control method of claim 15, wherein theresuming of the execution of the paused application program comprises:receiving a user's instruction for resuming the execution of the pausedapplication program; and resuming the execution of the pausedapplication program if the user's instruction is input.
 17. The controlmethod of claim 15, wherein the resuming of the execution of the pausedapplication program further comprises controlling the signal processorso that the video is restored prior to adjustment.
 18. The controlmethod of claim 15, wherein the resuming of the execution of the pausedapplication program further comprises calling a function of theapplication program so as to change a current state of the applicationprogram from a pause state to an execution state.
 19. The broadcastingsignal processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the application programcomprises a list of instructions which provide a plurality of functionsperformed by the broadcasting signal processing apparatus which executesinstructions in the list of instructions during the execution of theapplication program.
 20. The broadcasting signal processing apparatus ofclaim 19, wherein the video being displayed is adjusted while theexecution of the application program is temporarily paused withoutterminating the application program.
 21. The broadcasting signalprocessing apparatus of claim 20, wherein the GUI provided by theapplication program is displayed by the broadcasting signal processingapparatus during an execution state of the application program, and theGUI of the application program is not displayed by the broadcastingsignal processing apparatus during a pause state of the applicationprogram.
 22. The broadcasting signal processing apparatus of claim 1,wherein the controller changes the current state of the applicationprogram from the execution state to the pause state if the controllerreceives an instruction of a video adjustment function which is not afunction of the plurality of functions provided by the applicationprogram.
 23. The broadcasting signal processing apparatus of claim 8,wherein the video being displayed is adjusted between a pre-adjustedstate and an adjusted state, where the video is displayed in thepre-adjusted state while the application program is in an executionstate and the video is displayed in the adjusted state while theapplication program is in a pause state, and the video is restored fromthe adjusted state to the pre-adjusted state if the application programis resumed from the pause state to the execution state.
 24. The controlmethod of claim 11, wherein the application program comprises a list ofinstructions which provide a plurality of functions performed by thebroadcasting signal processing apparatus which executes instructions inthe list of instructions during the execution of the applicationprogram.